September 17, 2023

Welcome/Announcements

Prelude:        His Loving Kindness          William Caldwell

Choral Introit This Is the Day the Lord Hath Made        Watts and Chapin

Call to Worship** (responsively)

Leader: Come and worship the God who forgives.
People: We come seeking God’s forgiveness.
Leader: What God gives, God also asks us to give.
People: As God’s forgiven people, we offer forgiveness to all.
Leader: As God sets us free, God desires the freedom of all.
People: We will seek freedom and justice for all God’s people.

Hymn: UMH# 362   Nothing but the Blood

Opening Prayer** (in unison)

O God, you have seen every point in our lives where we have fallen short, yet you have forgiven us, asking only in return for us to forgive others. Help us to truly love others, Lord. In Christ we pray. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer (UMH #895)

Responsive Psalm Reading: Psalm 114 (UMH #835)

Choir Anthem                    Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken          Douglas Wagner

Offering and Doxology (UMH #95)

Affirmation of Faith – The Apostle’s Creed (UMH #881)

Passing the Peace

Hymn: UMH# 600   Wonderful Words of Life

Joys and Concerns

Prayer Hymn: TFWS# 2071        Jesus, Name above All Names

Pastoral Prayer

Scripture:      Matthew 18:21-35

Message: Stop Counting and Start Forgiving

Hymn: UMH# 170     O How I Love Jesus

Benediction (in unison)

Life is much more than an accident. Wherever I go, God has a purpose for me being there and wants to do something through me. May the LORD give me courage and strength and compassion to make our world a better place, to make our community a better community, and to make our church a better church. I trust fully in Christ’s presence, alive in me, and I go forth in God’s grace, love, and power.

Postlude:      All Glory to Jesus    John W. Peterson

**Call to Worship and Opening Prayer taken from Lectionary Worship Aids, Series IV, Cycle A.

 _____________________________________________

Organist:       Grace Wheatley

Reader:         Chris Jennings

Greeter:       

FLOWERS

Altar flowers are given to the Glory of God in memory of Fred and Marilyn Brubaker.

COVER PHOTO EXPLANATION

The three pictures on the bulletin cover are of the steeples of First and Christ UM churches. They reflect our two churches coming together—at one time we were far apart, but we have been moving closer, and now we are becoming one.

UPCOMING MEETINGS/EVENTS

Sept   17       9:30 a.m.      Worship FUMC/Sunday School (FUMC)

                     10:30 a.m.    Worship Committee Meeting (FUMC)

18       5:00 p.m.      Trustees (CUMC)

          20       1:00 p.m.      On Purpose Bible Study (FUMC)

                     6:00 p.m.      Chancel Choir Rehearsal (CUMC)

                     7:15 p.m.      Chimes Practice (FUMC)

          24       9:30 a.m.      Worship FUMC/Happy Life Mission/Fellowship Time (FUMC)

          25       7:00 p.m.      Administrative Council Mtg (CUMC)   

          27       1:00 p.m.      On Purpose Bible Study (FUMC)

                     6:00 p.m.      Chancel Choir Rehearsal (CUMC)

                     7:15 p.m.      Chimes Practice (FUMC)   

Oct     1        9:30 a.m.      Worship FUMC/Sunday School (CUMC)

4        Noon             NOTE NEW Day! Weekly Communion in FUMC Chapel – Wednesdays!                            

23       9:00 a.m.      Newsletter Deadline         

PRAYER LIST

So I [Jesus] say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened (Luke 11:9-10 NIV).

Please pray for…

Nancy Agee, Rob Anderson, Roland Bowman, Carl Cooper, Frances Gill, Peggy Reed, Linda Schwaitzberg, Lawson Smith, Jaime-Ellen Spessard, Becky Startt, Debbie Strong, Judy Thompson, Chris Wallman, Herb & Kay Wilkinson

Those in assisted living facilities/nursing homes:

Virginia Crew, Carole Lupis (Heartfield Assisted Living)

Ruth Hadaway, Paul Noerr (Chester River Manor)

Betty Needles (Chestertown Nursing and Rehab)

Peggy B. Smith (Whispering Pines)

Mary Ellen Thompson (Rock of Ages)

Weekly Prayer List

8/20    The victims of the Hawaiian wildfires, Eddie and Barbara (cancer treatments), Pastor Herb and Franny, safe travels for visiting family members

8/27    Ray Gill, Carole Lupis, Jo Miller, Eddie Vance (brother of Rev. Rick Vance), Barbara Stigile, Rev. Laurie Loveless, Ken Hickman, Phil, Evelyn, Donna, the family of Jimmy Pardee, the family of Bob Barker, students and teachers returning to school this week.

9/3      Joys – Peggy Smith 98^th birthday, Concerns – Florida, Family of Dorothy Naumann, Timmy Knapp, Connor Fellows, Mary Ellen Tissolow, Paster Herb and Franny, Churches becoming unified in Christ.

9/10    People suffering from natural catastrophes, especially those in Morocco, Florida, and Hawaii; Roger and Jan; Mark and Christine; safe travels for Matthew and Katy on their honeymoon in Jamaica; the family of Ray Gill, Sr., family of Jeanne Johnson, the family of Jeff Grotsky, Janet Rogers (mother of Jeanette Ryan), Nedra Spry’s family members for cancer and traveling mercies, Mark Blyman.